Gonzalo Higuain: Real can really damage United

REAL MADRID striker Gonzalo Higuain has warned his side they must be on their toes tomorrow despite never having lost to Manchester United at the Bernabeu.

PUBLISHED: PUBLISHED: 00:01, Tue, Feb 12, 2013

Real Madrid's Argentinian forward Gonzalo Higuain feels his side can hurt Manchester United

Higuain knows Sir Alex Ferguson’s side pose a serious threat to their hopes of making the quarter-finals, but also believes the nine-times European champions have the abilty to hurt United.

He said: “They are quite a compact team. They always make it to the knockout rounds in European competition and we’re going to have to be on our toes.

“But we can do a lot of damage with individual quality and with counter-attacks, although we can’t forget we need to have a solid defence, a winning mentality and team spirit.”

We can do a lot of damage with individual quality and with counter-attacks, although we can’t forget we need to have a solid defence, a winning mentality and team spirit

Gonzalo Higuain

Higuain, 25, who joined Madrid from River Plate six years ago, stressed the importance of trying to keep a clean sheet in tomorrow’s first leg.

He also urged the Bernabeu faithful to get behind Jose Mourinho’s men, who are looking at the Champions League and Copa del Rey for glory this season after seeing their La Liga title defence all but ended following a disappointing first half to the season.

He said: “We want our fans to get behind us. The team always try to do their best, sometimes it goes well, sometimes it doesn’t, but there’s no doubt we are going to give it everything.”

United’s former striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “I want Manchester United to win but, for the first time, I don’t know what’s going to happen.

“I’d like a 4-3, with Cristiano scoring three goals. He was 17 when he went to United, he’s a great lad. I watched him become a man. If I could sign just one player, I’d sign Cristiano. Yes, Lionel Messi is fantastic, but I’d take ‘CR7’.

“But both managers know each other well and the teams are very evenly matched. It will be decided by a moment of genius from Robin van Persie or Cristiano.”